Railway track system



Sept. l, 1931. A HENDERSON 1,820,911

RAILWAY TRACK SYSTEM med ont. 24, 1929 4 sheets-sheet 1 INYENTOR mw-M Sept' 1, l931 A. HENDERSON 1,820,911

RAILWAY TRACK SYSTEM.

Sept 1 193,1 A, HENDERSON RAILWAY TRACK SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet.

Filed QM, 24, i229 mmv INVENTOR MM ,M7-

Sept. 1, 1931. A. HENDERSON RAILWAY TRAQK SYSTEM I4l Smets-Sheet 4 Filed ont. 24, 1929 INVENTOR 14 s .A f1.1.

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Patented Sept.'y 1., 1931 PATENT OFFICE ALBERT HENDERSON, F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO HENDERSON AND' HATCHER, IN C., OF WARE PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVAITIA, A CORPORATION OF DELA- RAILWAY TRACK SYSTEM Applicationy filed October 24, 1929. Serial No. 402,032.

My invention relates to railway track systems, and more particularly to concrete road beds for railway track systems.

It 'has been customary in the past to use spaced cross ties of concrete or wood to support spaced railroad` rails. Recently, due to the increased weight of locomotives and truck equipment, such spaced cross tie construction has necessitated the use of heavier rails to support the increased weight; the

heavier rails operating to distribute the heavier load over more cross ties.

This practice is very expensive due to the higher cost of the heavier rails, but it does not solve the problem involved because of the fact that, to a very small extent, each wheel 'ravels up-hill between ties, taking up more than of the motive power of the locomotive. Another serious disadvantage to this if construction resides in the possibility of broken rails due to the iexural strains caused by the loaded wheels continually bending the rails. Sometimes broken rails result in serious disasters to passenger express trains.

Vvlith the spaced cross tie construction it is also necessary to maintain the expensive work of continuously levelling and alining the tracks. v Y

My invention provides a track system that is not subject to the above disadvantages and, in addition, permits the use of a much lighter and therefore less expensive rail in comparison with the rails required in the spaced cross tie construction.

My invention provides a plurality of concrete units assembled together to form a road bed having a substantially unbroken rail sup porting surface whereby a moving wheel load subjects the rail to compression only, the tiexure or beam action being substantially entirely eliminated.

My invention may be more readily understood if the accompanying drawings are referred to in connectiony with the following description.

Figure 1 is a plan viewof a rail supporting road bed constructed/in accordance with my invention; f

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the road bedv illustrated in Fig. 1;

.Figure 3 is a view in elevation, and partially in cross-section, of a complete track system utilizingthe road bed illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2;

Figure 4- is an enlarged View showing in dotted lines the reinforcing of the rail supporting girders illustrated in Figs. l and 2;

Figure 5 is an elevational view of a reinforced concrete cross tie for the rail sup porting girders;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the cross tie illustrated in Fig. 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a wedge for holding the cross ties and girders in assembled relation;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of arailway track system;

Figure 9 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the track system illustrated in Fig. 8; v

Figure l0 is a cross-sectional view oif a inodiiication of a track system particularly applicable for street railways;

Figurell is a top plan View of a portion of the street railway track system illustrated in Fig. l0;

Figure 12 is a view in end elevation of the track system illustrated in F ig. 11;

Figure 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the rail shown in Fig. 11;

Figure 14 is a sectional View taken on the line XIV- XIV of the rail shown in Fig. 13;

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of a further modiication of a railway track system;

Figure 16 is a view in elevation of a cross tie used in the track system modification illustrated in Fig. 15;

Figure 17 is a view in cross-section 5f a modification of a rail supporting girder;

Figure 18 is a view similar to Fig. 17 of a further modiiication of the rail supporting girder; n

Figures 19, 20 and 21 are views similar to Fig. 17 of further modifications of the rail supporting girder;

Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of a rail supporting girder made in two parts having recesses for supporting and clamping the lower part of the rail in position; and

Figure 23 is a View similar to Fig. 10 of a modification forV securing the rail guard to .1 the concrete cross ties.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, a plurality of pre-cast reinforced concrete mem-V bers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of substantially rectan-V ing girders and 9 formed-by the .concretey members 1 to 5, inclusive, may be, and preferably are, laid on and supported by spaced concrete Jfoundations 10 and 11.

The `concrete members forming the rail supporting girders 8 and 9 are provided with a .plurality of spaced openings 12 Vof similar size. These openings not onlj,7 decrease the weight of the reinforced concrete members, but they also provide for the. accommodation of the ends of reinforced concrete vcross ties 12, 13 and 14. The cross ties comprise a `central Vrectangular body 1.5 provided with extensions 16 and 17 of reduced size forex- -tension throughY the openings 12 in the concrete railsupporting members. V

Openings 18 are provided in the Lends 16 and 17 for the accommodation of a reinforced concrete wedge 19. The latter 4is provided with a horizontal hole 20 'for the reception of a pin 21 for holdingthe wedge 19 in position. v i

The cross ties are also Vprovided with :openings 22 for llightening the structure and for the accommodation of conduits, such as electric signal cables, (not shown).

As clearly illustrated in the drawings, the various pre-cast cementitious units used in the construction of the track system are provided with steel reinforcing means 23 for increasing the strength thereof.

The rails may be secured to `the-supporting 'girders8 and 9 by means of angles 24 secured by bolts 25 to the girders in such vmanner that the lower flanges of the rail are firmly secured to -fthe continuous 4supporting surface lof :the girders. The angles 24 .may lbe .continuous or they may be spaced any desired distance vapart along the lower' flanges of the rails.

Where the bolt and angle construction for vholding the rails in position is used, as illustrated in Fig.'3, vthe pre-cast concrete niembers 1 to 5, inclusive, are provided with vertical openings 26 for the reception of thebolts 25. The openings 26 extend from the horizontalopenings 12 to the upper and lower `sur- .faces ofthe concrete members.

'The concreteA supporting members used Vfor the rail supporting girders may be -precast in any desired shape to accommodate different types of rails, asshown :in Vthe modifications illustrated in Figs. 17 to 22, in elusive.

Referring to Fig. 17, there is illustrated a concrete girder 28 provided with a plurality of horizontal shoulders for the accommodation of a simple rail 2.9 of rectangular crosssection that is secured in position on the upper shoulder by means of a bolt 30. As in this typeof construction where light ,loads are transmitted to the rail 29 through al wheel 31, the concrete girder 28 may 'belaid directly .ontheground 32.

As kshown in Fig. 18, therail 33 may be inserted in a vcorresponding slot 34 provided in the rail supporting surface of the girder 35 where light loads are to .be carried.

Referring to Fig. l9, a :steel support and guard 36 fora street railway rail 37 may -be mounted directly on the :garder 38 and secured thereto ameasnsfof bolts 319.. The :rail 37 may be secured to the support and guard .36 by means .of bolts 85 that are spaced .agp-aant Valong the track. ln this :case it is necessary to provide `only a single row of inertie-ail openings 40 extending from the inside :to 'the outside of thegirder 38.

ln this connection it vvwill ibe noted that the girders are constructed :so .that their yupper land lower. surfaces ,are reversible, thereby facilitating the laying-.of the traclrsystem.

As sho-wn lin F 29 the girder 41 may be :provided with ia recess 42 for the reception Vof -a .rail 43 havin-g an integral guard flange 44. ln :this .modification the sides and vbottom of the railare provided with :a largesupporting area. vSpaced bolts 45 may be .used to -hold `the rail 43 1y'in .position with respect to :the girder 41. v Y,

As -shown in Fig. .2'1, `which is somewhat similar to Fig. 19,1he rail 46 may. be provided with .a recess 47 foraccommodati-.ng the head yofa bolt 48 thatentendsrahove the surface of the rail guard 49. The construction vof the Yrails .and rail guards illustrated in Figs. 19 .and 21 -will be :discussed .more fully below.

Referring to F ig. 22, there is illustrated an vimportantinodification ofany invention. The 'supporting -girder inthis vcase :is made in two halves, 50 and 51, respectively,.eaeh.of which 'is lprovided with a correspondingrecess 53 for the reception 4of the ilower horizontal lian-ge and a. vportion .of the vertical section of a-rail 54of substantially ill-shape. rThe wedge 55 coactingv 4with `the ,concrete :cross tie '56 holds A`the hal-ves 50 and 51 and the rail 54 firmly together in assembled relation. All bolts, nuts, v4plates land the 'like for holding the rails Lin=positionon the supportinggirders are leliminated by the vmodification illustrated `in Fig. 22.

Referring to Figs. f8 and 9, a somewhat similar modification for holding the yrails '57 and 58 in position is illustrated. v In this case thecontinuous lbeams 59 and :'60 are supported on spaced concrete cross ties 6l, v-62 and 63. u The cross ties are provided with rectangular recesses 64 for the reception of the beams or girders 59 and 60. The beams 59 and 60 are split in half for the reception of the rails in a manner similar to that described above in connection with the modification illustrated in Fig. 22. Lifting arms 65 are cast into the beams 59 and 60 for the purpose of lifting the beams out of the recesses 64 in the cross ties for the purpose of repair or replacement. Suitable recesses 66 are provided in the side wallsof the cross tieopenings 64 for the vertical, movement of the arms 65 in raising and lowering the beams.

Itv will be noticed also in connection with `Figs. 8 and 9 that no spikes or connecting' rail plates are necessary to hold the rails in position. y

Referring to Figs. 10 to 13, inclusive, a street'railway track system is provided comprising a plurality of reinforced concrete ties 67, V68 and 69 disposed in abutting relation with respect to each other to form a substantially unbroken rail supporting surface for a plurality of spaced street car rails 7 0 and 71. The cross ties are provided with recesses 72 in lthe bottom thereof for coaction with a plurale vity of cast-inplace` spaced concrete foundations 73 and 74. The space below the cross ties and between the foundations may be used to house a conduit system 75.V l

The cross ties 67, 68 and 69 are provided with recesses 76 in the upper corners thereof so that when the cross ties are placed together side-by-side the opening formed by the recesses 76 may be filled with cement or grouting to form a smooth'street surface.

Channels 7 7 and 78 for the rails 70 and 71 are cast in place when the cross ties are molded. rIhe channels 77 and 78 are provided with projections 79 and 80 that are embedded-in the concrete of thecross ties to hold the connectingchannels in place. The ends of the cross t-ies are beveled so that they can be easily jacked up without disturbing the adjoining road bed 81.

The sides of the cross ties are provided with vertical recessesl forr forming openings v'82 so that should there be a settlement of the track system, jacks canbe introduced in the openings under the rails and resting on the foundations 73 and 74 to raise the ties so that grouting or asphalt may be poured and distributed between the cross ties and ther tomof the horizontal recesses 83, metallic strips 86 may be inserted in the bottom of the recesses 83. In case it is necessary to have access to the nuts 84 for the purpose of loosening therails, as for example, where it is desired to reverse the rails to present a new wearing surface, the asphalt may be easily dug out of the recesses 83.

In this connection it is to be noted that in the present rail construction all four corners of the rail can be utilized, the rail being preferably constructed of upper and lower sections 87 and 88, respectively, that are scparated from each other by rectangular strips 89 that are spaced to form openings 91 through the sections for the bolts and are preferably spot-welded to the upper and lower sections of the rail.

The supporting channels are provided with corresponding openings 90 that match the openings 91 in the rail.

An asphalt-asbestos strip 92 is placed between the horizontal and vertical sides of the rail and channel to absorb vibration and reduce noise when a street car passes over the rails.

vIn case the street car is used in open country where paving over the road bed is not required, constructions similar to those illustrated in Figs. 19 and 21 may be utilized.

Referring to Fig. 19, the channel 36 may be mounted on the surface of the rail supporting beam 38 and held in position as shown by the bolts 39. In this case the rail 37 may be removed for reversal by simply unloosening the bolts 85. Referring to Fig. 21, which is a further modification, the rail guard 49 and the rail 46 are provided with a coacting projection 87 and slot 89 for insuring the retention of the rail in the channel.

It will be apparent that the rail 46 may be solid and provided with spaced openings for the reception of the retaining bolts.

Referring to F igs. 15 and 16, a track system is shown constructed of a plurality of reversible cross ties 93. The cross ties 93 arc preferably of pre-cast reinforced concrete and are provided with recesses 94 for the reception of spaced concrete foundations 95 and 96. `The upper surface of the ties 93k is provided with rail supporting surface plates 97 that are cast in place during the molding process of the cross ties. Projections 98 and recesses 99 are provided for coaction with the lower flange and one side of the vertical portion of the rails 100 and 101. Alternate cross ties are positioned with the projections 98 eX- tending in opposite directions so that the rails 100 and 101 are securely clamped in position after the various parts are assembled together.

In this construction no bolts, spikes or retaining plates are necessary to hold therails in position. Vooden planks 102 may be placed between the upper and lower surfaces of the cross tiesand supporting foundations Y ysystem atahugeexpense in comparison With 4- teso 9 5 and 96;, resneetiveiy, to .abso'rlo .sboelrs and 'provide a eertairi amour-.t of resilieriey to .tbe

traolr system.- i Y 'zin voase it beeomes I ieeessary to relevel 'i the traok syste- 111, it is Vveasy matter iii steli 'i' .with respect to the foundations. 'The cross ties are rei-riforeed .by east-.iii steel members L03.

If iler any reason it becomes necessary to remove one or more Yof tliefeross ties 9:3, tbe lsame may be accomplished lread-illy by removing the pine 1115 arid by elevating libe systeril above the found-ations and then palling .out the cross -ties from one side, or enrdyvise.

v A inodeaton of tbe street ra-ilvvay traolr system is illustrated in Fig. 23. Here the c ross'ties 105 are provided yvithrecesses'm in their lupper' surfgtace, in which the rai-l lchannels. 10.7 areseeured by bolts 11.0.8- Yertoal recesses :are provided in the ysides 'of the cone crete ,cross ties 105 Which coact with .each other to forni an opening 109 for the recepf tion oi? :a lifting jack, las described above in connection with Figs. l0 te 1,3, inclusive. In this case, (also, the rsurface oi the system may becoyered bya layer of asphalt 11.0

A desirable Ifeature jof my invention re sides in the use oi a plurality of precast cementitious units to forni `a substantially continuous:supponting sur-face for fthe rails of a itraclr system.

The Juse .of reinforced concrete members that are pre-cast before being assembled the track system results in a very material saying in cost as compared with -asolid vC oricrete .road bedQon yyvhich the Ilrail is directly mounted'.

Otherf desirable advantages of my inven- .tion arise by virtue of ,a traer system that .may be constructed lyvitglmut the -use of bolgts, nuts, and vthe 4like for holding the .rails in position.

Another distinct adyantagte cfa traclrsystem ,constructed in Aaccordance with my in,- -vention resides in the mobility and 'facility for removingand replacing it after a finished installation. 1n this .connection it is to be noticed that heretofore, Aespecially in street irailwaytraclr systems. it has been customary .when replacing the rails to dig up fthe .Whole road bed and reconstruct an entire neyv track any iacilely .replaceable track system.

llVbile FIihave shown andidescribed present Ipreferred embodiments .of my invention, it

is to be understood .that the same is not limited thereto .but maybe .otherwise ere.- borlieel Within the se-ore 0f ih@ .following slaiiiis, 'Y 7 l olailrlg l.- .Iri a traelr system, spared rails and nre.- cast concrete cross ties assembled together to form a substantially continuous supporting surface for said rails, said cross ties'having corresponding recesses in their ysides to pro- Videan opening Vlfor .the introduction of lifting means.

L2. A. tr-acl; systenrconiprising spaced rails and means for supportingsaid rails, comprising pre-cast concrete cross tiles placed .sideby-side to form a substantially `continuous supporting .sarfaoe tor the rails, said Cross ties haying grooves in :the .upper ,corners thereof for forming openings for the introduction of a snrfacing material.

8. In ,a track system, spaced foundations, reirioreerl eor-erete ties :revies reoesses for said OiindatiOnS, ksaid ties resting .on said foi-irrelatiors said reeesses, ariel sioaoeol rails secu-red -to said 1concrete ties.

e. A track systern .comprising spaced rails,

a plurality of reinforced concrete members for supporting said rails, said members lhavies reeesses tlaereiri, ariel obariiiels mounted in said reeesses, saiel rails beirisseeurefl to .said @barrels- 5. A track system comprising a plurality of spared rails., and a plurali-ty oi rre-Cast coiaonete I iierrifbers for supporting said rails, said ,members having instal seats east tbereiri for coactivon with Arails.

6 A :traelr system .Comprising .spaced rails, a @barrel .xieiiiber sii-priorities .eaoli of said rails., aoo1iorete member for supporting each of said .Channel members, land arrears for removably esseri-iig said rails to said oliaririel l members.

7. A ,smelt system .comprising spared rails, the surfaces of said rails being reyersiblemnd supporting channels for said rails, said chan,- riels being reyersigble 8. A track system comprisingfspaced rails, seatingchannels forsaid rails, pre-.cast reinforced concrete Gross ties l.for sunportiig said @hanne-ls, said 1eross ties ibeiris arranged to @form a substantially continuous supporting sur-tace, and means substantially flush with the :stop .off the rails ooveringsaid Cross ties.

l9. A-ftnaclnsystem.comprising spaced rails, .a substantially nnbroken Channel for .each of said rails, and a substantially continuous supporting foundation foreach of said channels.

10. ,A track system .comprising a plurality off spacedsupnorts, eenerete Cross ties having recesses for the reception of 4said supports mounted thereon, and irai-ls .carried by said across ties.

al. A railway road -bedcomprisingspaced concrete ouudations, precast .cqnerete Across ties .having spaced `n .pper and lower ,recesses Ol lzGCelYing metai Channels and the upper las portion of said foundations respectively, metal channels cast-in-place in the upper recesses of said cross ties, said cross ties being positioned on said foundations with the lower recesses fitting over the upper portion of the foundations in close side-by-side relationship yand rails removably secured to said chanlower recesses, metal channels cast-in-place in the upper recesses of said cross ties, said cross ties being positioned on said foundations with the lower recesses fitting over the upper portion of the foundations in close side by-side relationship and'reversible rails of rectangular section removably secured to said channels.

13. A railway road bed comprising spaced concrete foundations, precast concrete cross ties having spaced'upper and lower recesses for receiving metal channels and the upper portion of said foundations respectively, said cross ties having recesses in the upper corners thereof extending from end-to-end of the cross ties, metal channels cast-in-place in the upper recesses of sai-d cross ties, said cross ties being positioned on said foundations with the lowerrecesses fitting over the upper por- ,f

tion of said foundations in close side-by-side relationship, a layer of surfacing material covering the cross ties and projecting into the openings formed by said corner recesses and reversible rails ofrectangular section removably secured yto said channels.

14. A track system comprising a substantially continuous foundation having spaced recesses, rails secured to said foundation in said recesses and a substantially continuous asphaltr covering over said foundation substantially flush with the tops of said rails.

15. A track system comprising a substantially continuous foundation having spaced recesses, and four-way rails detachably secured to said foundation in said recesses.

16. A track system comprising spaced metal rail supports having guides for wheel flanges, and rectangular rails detachably secured to said metal supports. v

17. A track systemV comprising a guide for a wheel flange, anda rail detachably secured to sai'dkguide.

1S. A track system comprising a substantially continuous foundation, a guide for a wheel flange detachably secured to said foundation, and a rail secured to said guide.

19. A track system comprising a substantially continuous foundation, a substantially vcontinuous foundation carried by said firstnamed foundation, and spaced rails carried by said second-named foundation, the secondnamed foundation having openings to permit the entry of elevating means so that said spaced rails may be elevated.

20. The method of building a street car track system consisting of laying a continuous concrete road bed, having spaced recesses, placing in said recesses metal guides for wheel iianges, then detachably securing rails to one side of said guides and pouring asphalt in the recesses covering the ends of the securing means which secure the rails to the guides so that the rail when worn may be easily detached without disturbing the guide or the foundation.

21. The method of building a street car track system which consists in building a my hand.

ALBERT HENDERSON. 

